Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who has won several surf dog contests, and more notably inspires people around the world as she raises awareness and funds for human/animal causes, teamed up with Endless Pools, to make a brain injured two year olds dream come true! A $11,000 therapy pool will be delivered to Finnley in the next couple weeks, as part of Ricochet's fundraiser for her.

Finnley was born with brain damage due to oxygen being cut off to her brain during delivery. She was only expected to live one to 72 hours. But, 2 years later... she is a living miracle! However, her brain damage caused cerebral palsy, seizures, and vision impairment. She's not able to walk or talk, but loves classical music. Her cerebral palsy tightens her muscles, but when she's in a pool, she's able to move her arms and legs. Her parents have been saving to purchase a therapeutic swimming pool for their home, so Finnley can get the daily therapy she needs, but it's very costly... over $11,000.

When Ricochet heard about their situation, she started fundraising for Finnley right away. Four weeks into the fundraiser, Ricochet came up with the idea of calling Endless Pools to see if they'd be willing to help her make Finnley's dream come true even sooner.

When Endless Pools heard how Ricochet lives a lifestyle of helping others by pawing it forward, saw her SURFice Dog video, and learned more about Finnley's Story, they immediately wanted to be part of the project. They "came to the rescue" and offered a significant special needs discount!! The funds Ricochet raised, coupled with the discount meant the family only had to come up with $2560, which they had in an account from previous fundraising they've done.

Finnley's mom, Care was in tears when she heard the news, and said "The pool is going to allow Finnley to get the physical therapy she so desperately needs... thank you so much, I'm so grateful" And, Finnley herself, although she doesn't talk right now, broke out into a huge smile! Click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPulSq6hMV8 to see it on video!

Ricochet sincerely thanks Endless Pools, and her donors for their generosity, and help in making Finnley's dream come true!

Endless Pools, Inc was founded in 1988 to create a product that allows individuals to experience the benefits of water exercise and therapy in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Their company is dedicated to excellence in design and manufacturing, as well as courteous and comprehensive customer service. Endless Pool's goal is to build and deliver an exercise machine that can be assembled easily, that offers an infinite array of installation design solutions, and requires minimal maintenance for the pool owner. They endeavor to build Endless Pools that take up a smaller footprint, use less water, require fewer chemicals and consume less energy than traditional pools do.

Ricochet was slated to be a service dog for a person with a disability, but, due to her interest in chasing prey, she had to be released from that role. She went from service dog to SURFice dog, and is now raising funds and awareness for human and animal causes. She has raised over $48,000 in the last 10 months, and continues to inspire people all over the world with her positive energy, and charitable lifestyle

The Making of a Guide Dog – Celebrated In a New Film SeriesA new campaign ‘Six Feet, One Journey’, developed by FRONTLINE PLUS® and HEARTGARD30® PLUS, celebrates the enormous work and love that goes into transforming playful pups into responsible Guide Dogs for Australians with impaired vision. This incredible journey, which starts from 8 weeks of age and takes almost two years to complete, has been captured in a series of short films which have been developed through a collaboration between National Geographic Channel, Merial and Guide Dogs Australia.

The Guide Dogs movement is the leading provider of Guide Dogs and orientation and mobility training nationally. A new campaign ‘Six Feet, One Journey’, developed by FRONTLINE PLUS® and HEARTGARD30® PLUS, celebrates the enormous work and love that goes into transforming playful pups into responsible Guide Dogs for Australians with impaired vision.

This incredible journey, which starts from 8 weeks of age and takes almost two years to complete, has been captured in a series of short films which have been developed through a collaboration between National Geographic Channel, Merial and Guide Dogs Australia.

Uplifting and informative, the series highlights the unique relationship people with impaired vision share with their Guide Dogs as well as revealing the three stages of training that a Guide Dog must undergo before they begin work assignment:

Puppy raising – during a pup’s first year of life it is checked by a veterinarian for good health and then placed with a specially selected ‘puppy raising family’. For 12 months, pups learn basic social skills and obedience, and visit the types of places they’ll later encounter as Guide Dogs while being monitored by a Puppy Raising Officer.

Team training – at around 14 months of age, they return to the Guide Dogs Centre where Guide Dog Trainers assess their suitability for guiding work. Not all meet the stringent criteria, but if selected, they begin five months of intensive training, learning a range of complex skills.

Training in the field – Guide Dogs that successfully complete the program are then matched to a potential handler, according to the person's specific lifestyle and mobility needs.

To gain further insight into the wonderful world of Guide Dogs, view the unique film series on subscription television on National Geographic Channel, or see them online at www.frontlineplus.com.au/guidedogs.

To address the changing dietary requirements of pets caused by the Earth's weather, Seasons Natural® Petfood has created a unique patented process to manufacture the world's first climate specific pet food. The company will offer two blends to address both warm and cool weather nutritional needs.

In 2006, the United States National Research Council (NRC) published "Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats" as part of its report on dog and cat nutrition. Based on years of research, this report revealed that as the weather changes, so do the nutritional needs of pets.

Seasons Natural® Petfood was founded to offer pet owners a new type of pet diet -- one specifically designed to address the changing metabolic energy requirements of pets caused by changes in the weather. The premise behind their unique patented blends, one for cool weather and one for the warmer months, is based in part on the NRC report.

As ambient temperatures rise or fall, the amount of energy a pet needs for normal metabolic function changes. With as little as a 20 degree Fahrenheit temperature fluctuation, a pet's metabolic needs may change by as much as 40%. Seasons Natural® pet food is specifically formulated to enhance nutrition according to a pet's changing metabolic energy needs.

It has been scientifically proven that pets require more energy in the cooler months, less in the warmer months. To address this effect, Seasons Natural® has created two dog food blends. Cool Weather Blend™ is formulated for cooler temperatures by providing an increase in proteins and fat. As the weather warms, however, less protein and fat are usually required. Warm Weather Blend™ is formulated with these requirements in mind. The patented process properly regulates the amount of digestible metabolic energy available in each formula, providing it to pets when they need it, as directed by nature.

Specific micro-ingredients are added to the Cool Weather Blend™ for the cool months, including L-Carnitine, which utilizes fat efficiently to help provide extra energy. For the warmer months, the Warm Weather Blend™ contains a blend of electrolytes to foster healthy heart function, muscle function and hydration, as well as helping provide a healthy skin and coat.

Both blends deliver the proper amount of protein, fat, and climate-specific nutrients when the pet needs it most. Both blends are also similar in base ingredients so that the conversion between warm and cool weather formulas is easier on the pet's digestive system.

"This is the first truly unique dog food to be introduced to the pet food industry in years," said Tom Kapocius, Seasons Natural® Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. "Consumers now more than ever want the best, most nutritious food for their pets. They know their animals deserve the very best foods for their nutritional needs, to help sustain a long and healthy life. With our climate specific formulations, we are confident Seasons Natural® delivers exactly what pets need and will enjoy."

Seasons Natural® Cool Weather Blend™ will begin shipping to independent pet stores arriving in time for the Autumnal Equinox on September 23 -- the start of the cool season. Both the cool and warm season blends will be available in three flavor formulas: Chicken Meal and Brown Rice, Lamb Meal and Brown Rice, and a Multi-Protein formula.

To learn more about Seasons Natural® Pet Food and how to order, contact their customer service department at info@seasonspetfood.com or by phone at 877-808-0838. For more about Seasons Natural® Pet Food Company, or to learn more about the science behind their pet foods, visit their website at seasonspetfood.com. Seasons Natural® Pet Foods – U.S. Patent # 7,120,588,B2 (global patents pending)

P&G Recalls Small Number of Bags of Cat Food From Stores in Loveland, Colorado

Procter & Gamble (P&G) is voluntarily recalling a small number of bags of its Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care dry cat food which may have been sold recently in one or two stores in Loveland, Colorado.

These bags have the potential to contain salmonella, although no illnesses have been reported. No other Iams pet food products are affected.

The Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care cat food in question is sold in blue 6.8-pound bags. These bags feature a code date of 02304173 (B1-B6) and the UPC number 1901403921.

If you have this product, please discard it and call P&G toll-free for a product replacement at 800-862-3332 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.

P&G has worked with its retailers to remove the affected product from stores in the area. P&G believes that only three bags may have been purchased recently by consumers in the area. Yet, as a precautionary measure, the company is initiating this retrieval.

People handling dry pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

When the animal control from the Clarksville area had to seize some eighty seven dogs, twelve of them had to be killed. Most of the dogs were pretty exhausted and had a skin disease called mange which is caused by mites.

Just reading about what these dogs had was pretty sad and make you wander how anyone could have that many dogs living in their house. The real sad part is that twelve of the dogs had to be killed and they never got to live their live. Hopefully the rest of the dogs will find a loving home.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

On receiving an honour, the American entertainer Jack Benny once said, "I don't deserve this award but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either." Unfortunately, Benny was not alone in suffering from arthritis as he grew older. Arthritis is associated with significant discomfort and simple activities such as going for walks and climbing stairs often become extremely painful. A variety of treatments are available, usually involving a combination of drugs and physiotherapy, but these generally only address the symptoms rather than curing the condition.

Unsurprisingly, animals can also suffer from arthritis. And because pets, especially dogs, tend to accompany their owners closely, they also go for walks and climb stairs, activities that become difficult and painful for dogs with arthritis. Treatment of the condition relies on the use of painkilling drugs combined with physiotherapy. The aims of physiotherapy - in dogs as in humans - are to lessen pain and to improve the functions of the affected joints and limbs. A number of different physiotherapy regimes are available but until recently there had been only very limited investigations of their affects on dogs. This has changed with the appearance of a paper by Peter Holler in Barbara Bockstahler's group at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna in the current issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Using a specially designed treadmill and sophisticated computer algorithms, Holler and his colleagues examined the movements of the joints in the front and back legs of dogs performing three different types of exercise used in physiotherapy: walking uphill, walking downhill and walking over low obstacles. They compared the findings with the movements when the dogs walked on the level without obstacles. Their results were extremely revealing. Walking uphill caused significantly greater bending at the hip, while the stifle joint (the dog's knee) was less extended. There were also decreases in the accelerations at the carpal and elbow joints. Walking downhill caused the hip to be less bent and the tarsal joint to be less extended, while there were decreases to the accelerations at the elbow and the hip. The most significant effects came when the dogs walked over low obstacles, which resulted in increased bending of all joints except the hip and the shoulder and greater extensions of the carpal and stifle joints.

In summary, the experiments showed that the three regimes had different and specific effects on the movements of the dogs' joints. Walking downhill does not appear to have much therapeutic benefit but walking uphill and the use of obstacles could both play a part in therapy. Walking uphill is an easy exercise that could be used to improve the flexibility of affected joints, particularly of the hip, while walking over low obstacles could be useful for improving the bending of joints in the fore- and hind limbs, although it should be noted that dogs that have recently undergone surgery to the tibia should probably avoid walking over obstacles as the resulting increased bending of the joints could potentially strain the tendon that joins the knee to the shin..

Neither walking uphill nor walking over obstacles requires expensive special equipment. Furthermore, both programmes are simple and can be easily supervised by the dogs' owners. As Bockstahler says, "These types of exercise are often recommended to improve the flexibility of joints in arthritic dogs. Nobody has yet taken the trouble to test whether they work but we are happy to report that they are of real benefit to the animals."

The paper:Kinematic motion analysis of the joints of the forelimbs and hind limbs of dogs during walking exercise regimens by Peter J. Holler, Verena Brazda, Barbara Dal-Bianco, Elisabeth Lewy, Marion C. Mueller, Christian Peham, and Barbara A. Bockstahler is published in the July 2010 issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR 71, Vol. 7, 734-740).

Can you imagine a town that will fine you if you put up a missing dog poster to help find your dog. Well that’s what a town called Durham, NC is saying to a guy named Otto Ladensack because he posted the signs on telephone poles.

I guess the Durham Planning Department didn’t even care about why the signs were up in the first place, considering that Mr. Ladensack was in an accident with his little girl when their dog Maggie ran off out of fear.

Thankfully their dog Maggie has returned before they were fined for the signs. But can you believe a town wanting to fine someone who is only trying to find their pet; I guess they don’t like animals is all I can say.

Friday, August 27, 2010

PetAmberAlert.com has re-launched its popular amber alert service for lost pets. Thanks to the new technology and a nationwide state of the art database that has taken over 3 years to put together, alerts are delivered within 1 hour after placing an order via phone to neighbors and fax to businesses. Since the service upgrades earlier this month there has been a 20% increase in the amount of lost pets that have been found thanks to PetAmberAlert, going from an average 50% to 70%.

PetAmberAlert.com has been online since 2005. Over the years PetAmberAlert has gone from simple online lost pet postings, to actively sending alerts via email and then via express mail. Over time it has shown that Fax and Phone Alerts offer the fastest response and highest success rate in finding lost dogs, lost cats and other lost pets.

PetAmberAlert has also implemented the following upgrades to their service:

1.) Immediate Action - Alerts Delivered Same Day!

PetAmberAlert is now delivering alerts via fax the same day vs postal mail which would take longer due to delivery times. Sometimes the alert would even be delayed longer due to weather or other postal issues.

2.) Dual Action - Phone Neighbors/Fax Businesses!

Pet Amber Alerts now cover all bases when it comes to alerting the neighborhood. They are able to phone local residents in the area and fax posters to local pet businesses. This type of alert spreads quickly and notify's thousands of people in the area within one hour. This is truly a break through and it is estimated that an additional 5,000 pets will be found this year alone thanks to the service upgrades.

3.) Cases are Analyzed Individually for Best Result!

PetAmberAlert has some of the best Pet Detectives in the country who are working on call 24/7. They will check through each case and analyze which agencies would be most beneficial to alert (ie. police stations for stolen cases, targeting specific locations of last known sightings via phone etc.).

4.) Database is Update Daily for Accuracy!

The PetAmberAlert nationwide database is checked for accuracy daily. (They make sure fax numbers are up to date and check for new agencies that have opened in the area for every case). They are also classified as an exempt organization by the National Do Not Call Registry, thus they can also phone neighbors who are on the Do Not Call List.

5.) Alert Receipt/Delivery is Verified!

PetAmberAlert is launching a new customer account center on its website . The same day customers place a order they will be able to see an exact list of where the poster/phone alert has been sent and may instantly call for verification. Lost Pet Owners will also be able to make changes to pets information, and place alert re-orders for their lost cat, or lost dog.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The British Veterinary Association, some of the UK's largest animal charities, law enforcement agencies and unions are jointly calling on the leaders of the main political parties to work together to introduce improved and updated legislation to protect dog welfare and public safety.

The 20 groups have come together to demand action against irresponsible dog owners by the Government and the provision of necessary resources for those tasked with policing dog control laws.

It comes ahead of the summary of responses from Defra's consultation on dog legislation which is expected this autumn. The consultation received more than 4,000 responses by the time it closed in June, indicating the scale of interest in the subject.

The statement will be sent to Prime Minister David Cameron MP, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP and acting leader of the opposition Harriet Harman MP.

The statement says: "We believe that irresponsible dog ownership, whether it is allowing dogs to stray, be dangerously out of control or indiscriminately breeding them, causes significant problems for the safety and welfare of both humans and animals. Current legislation is proving inadequate in many cases to ensure sufficient protection.

"We believe that both the provision of sufficient resources at a local level for local authorities and the police, and updated and consolidated legislation that has a genuine preventative effect, are needed to address this problem.

"We call on the coalition Government to act and bring forward legislation that addresses these areas effectively."

BVA President Professor Bill Reilly added:

"The Government must not ignore this overwhelming call for action to protect dog welfare and public safety.

"The problems caused by dangerous dogs will never be solved until dog owners appreciate that they are responsible for the actions of their animals. The BVA believes very strongly in the principle of deed not breed - targeting dogs for their actions, not what they look like - and new legislation must tackle the actions of irresponsible pet owners that can cause dogs to become aggressive. Current legislation is not tackling irresponsible owners who increasingly put the public and other animals at risk.

"Compulsory microchipping - and an effective and workable registration system - should be put in place for all dogs, not only to reunite stray dogs with their owners, but also to help prevent puppy farming and to promote responsible ownership.

"I cannot stress too strongly that responsible ownership is the key to resolving the issue of dangerous dogs."

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A North Carolina State University researcher has helped to locate and identify a gene responsible for a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects American Staffordshire terriers. This same gene may be responsible for a similar rare, fatal disease in humans. Its discovery will lead to improved screening and diagnosis of the disease in dogs and is the first step in working toward a cure for both canines and humans.

Dr. Natasha Olby, associate professor of neurology, was part of a multi-national team of researchers who located the gene responsible for a variant of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL), a family of diseases that result in mental and motor deterioration - and eventually death - in the dogs.

The team's results were published in the Aug. 17 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

NCLs, while rare in humans, are most common in children, although an adult-onset form of the disease - known as Kufs' disease - does occur. In this adult disease, neurons within the brain gradually die, causing loss of vision, epilepsy, dementia and loss of coordination.

Olby saw the first case of a canine version of adult-onset NCL in American Staffordshire terriers in 2000. Over subsequent years, she found that the disease was a widespread and hereditary problem within the breed, affecting one of every 400 registered dogs. The disease kills the neurons in the cerebellum, which controls balance. Over time, the cerebellum shrinks, motor control deteriorates, and the patient dies or is euthanized.

"The disease became so prevalent because it was a recessive disease with a late onset," says Olby. "Carriers of a single copy of the mutated gene never develop symptoms, and dogs with two copies of the gene might not show symptoms until five or six years of age, so the mutation was able to take hold in the breeding population."

Through genetic analysis, the research group was able to locate the specific gene - an entirely novel mutation that has not been reported in people. According to Olby, the novel nature of the mutation means that researchers can now test samples from humans with NCL to determine whether this same mutation causes Kufs' disease in people.

"The canine disease is a good model of the adult human form of the disease," says Olby. "We hope that this discovery will provide insight into the development of this disease."

The Department of Clinical Sciences is part of NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

An animal shelter in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania called the AWSOM is in such a need for donations that they only have enough to stay open for twenty four more days.

The need for them is overwhelming and to think about all the animals that will have no place to go is very upsetting to read about. So if you can help them with any donations please go to their site @ www.awsomanimals.org, or call 570-421-3647.

We all know times are hard and with people losing their jobs and homes that the amount of animals being dumped off at all the shelters have taken on a new meaning for all the animal shelters though out the world. So help support your local animal shelter and help these pets find a loving home before they are killed.

Atlanta Boxer Rescue to Hold Third Annual Boxerstock Music FestivalFamily-friendly Day of Music and Fun Scheduled for October 24

Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc., will hold its third annual Boxerstock music festival on Sunday, October 24, from noon until 7 PM, at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic is the presenting sponsor of this year's event. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and only $5 for children under 12, students and members of the military with proper ID. All proceeds from Boxerstock will go toward Atlanta Boxer Rescue efforts and pet owner education.

Boxerstock is a dog-friendly event. Well-behaved dogs of all breeds on leashes are welcome. Sponsor C&C Fence Company will provide a fenced dog park for canine attendees to roam off leash. Trainers from sponsor K-9 Coach/Bed & Bark will be available for dog training tips throughout the day. Atlanta Boxer Rescue will microchip dogs that have current vaccinations and proof of ownership for $25.

Featuring a wide variety of music, Boxerstock offers something for all musical tastes. Barry Richman, heralded by many as a genuine guitar hero, will delight the crowd with a mix of rock, blues and jazz. Singer/songwriter Hannah Thomas, named 2009 Top Female Artist by www.Georgia-Country.com is scheduled to perform and Anna Kaelin, an American Idol Season 8 qualifying finalist, are also slated to perform. Georgia Country Male Artist of the Year for 2009, Thomas Tillman returns for his second Boxerstock. State of Man brings their unique brand of popular rock, infused with universal themes and messages of healing for the soul, to the lineup. Other scheduled acts include local musicians RubberJean and Sam Rhodes. Comedienne Shelly Ryan returns this year as emcee.

Other planned events include children's activities, a silent auction, a dog costume contest and a canine agility demo. Food, drinks and a variety of merchandise from vendors will be available for purchase. Atlanta Boxer Rescue volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about adopting, fostering or volunteering.

"The Atlanta Boxer Rescue provides assistance to boxers through adoption services, fostering and education. This year's Boxerstock, at its new location at Jim Miller Park, promises to be our biggest, best yet," said Lisa Demma, president of Atlanta Boxer Rescue. "Boxerstock is our largest annual fundraiser, and the funds we raise allow us to continue our rescue efforts."

"Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic is proud to be the presenting sponsor for this year's Boxerstock music festival," said Steven M. Whittle, DVM. "Atlanta Boxer Rescue does extraordinary work caring for these boxers, and we are thrilled to support their rescue efforts."

Boxerstock would not be possible without the generosity of its sponsors. This year's presenting sponsor is Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic. Other sponsors include K-9 Coach/Bed & Bark, C&C Fence Company, The Sunday Paper, Georgia-Country.com, DaLee & Company, Inc., Balloons and Events Over Atlanta and Georgia Network of Professional Petsitters.

More information about Boxerstock including sponsorship opportunities, musician lineup, directions to the event and a full schedule can be found at www.boxerstock.org. Tickets for the event will be available on the Web site.

About Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc.

Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit organization specializing in the rescue, adoption and animal welfare of Boxer dogs in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The organization provides veterinary services for its rescues and owner education and support for all Boxers in the Atlanta area. Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc., is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by IRS law. For more information, to volunteer, to donate or to adopt a Boxer, please visit our website at www.atlantaboxerrescue.org or email info(at)atlantaboxerrescue(dot)org.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

The state of Illinois governor Pat Quinn has just signed the house bill 5772 that will require all pet stores and shelters to advise you of where the dog came from and their past health condition history.

I think that this is a great bill that will allow a buyer to know all about the pet they are about to buy which should help led to the end of the puppy mills. This way you will know that you are buying a puppy from an appropriate dealer that has been check buy local laws and not someone breeding their dogs in the basement.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Some fifty years ago yesterday the Soviet Union had sent these two dogs named Belka and Strlka up into space to become the first two dogs to circle earth and come back alive. Which help start the space missions for the Soviet Union.

A dog that was tied to the back of a van had become a victim of a intoxicated person named Kristy Nelson who was drunk at the time when she was driving down the road with the poor dog tied to the back of the van.

The Taylor County Sheriff's deputy Brian Pickard said: I watched the dog take five or six deep breaths, attempt to take deep breaths. Two or three minutes later it passed away, I was just thinking in sixteen years I've never seen anything like this.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

One in Five Respondents to AAA/Kurgo Survey Admit to Driving With Dog in Their Lap

New survey examines habits of people driving with canine companions and possible distractions

Millions of Americans recognize that dogs are wonderful companions and bring their favorite furry friend along on road trips, day trips and even day-to-day errands. However, in a vehicle this can mean added distractions for the driver. A recent survey conducted by AAA and Kurgo asked dog owners how often they drive with their dog and about their habits behind the wheel. The survey found that drivers not only love to bring Fido along, but they also often engage in risky behaviors when man's best friend is along for the ride.

Drivers distracted by dogs, many don't realize it

Thirty-one percent of respondents admit to being distracted by their dog while driving, however 59 percent have participated in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog. More than half (55 percent) have pet their dog while driving, and one in five allowed their dog to sit in their lap (21 percent). Other distracting behaviors drivers admitted to include giving food and water to their dog (seven percent) and playing with their dog (five percent). These behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.

Unrestrained dogs dangerous to driver, passenger and man's best friend

An overwhelming 80 percent of respondents stated that they have driven with their pets on a variety of car trips including day trips, local errands and leisure trips, the pet store, dog parks and to work. However only 17 percent use any form of pet restraint system when driving with their dog. Use of a pet restraint system, such as those available from Kurgo, can aid in limiting distractions and help protect your pet.

"Restraining your pet when driving can not only help protect your pet, but you and other passengers in your vehicle as well," cautioned Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, AAA National, Traffic Safety Programs manager. "An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert 2,400 pounds of pressure. Imagine the devastation that can cause to your pet and anyone in the vehicle in its path."

There are a variety of reasonably priced products available to help dog owners reduce distractions their pets might cause while driving while keeping them safe. There have been many recent innovations in this market from Kurgo and others to make these products more comfortable for the dog and convenient to use for the owner. AAA recommends owners utilize a restraint system anytime they are driving with their pet — even close to home.

Pet restraint products, such as those from Kurgo, are available at local pet stores nationwide. To find a dealer near you, visit Kurgo.com.

Pet owners who want to take their pet on a longer trip can find all of the information they need to make their vacation easier and safer in Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook® including pet-friendly AAA Approved property listings and advice on transporting pets. The book also features information on how to enter the annual AAA PetBook Photo Contest sponsored by Best Western. Entry deadline is Nov. 30 and winning pets will appear on a cover of the next edition. To enter, visit AAA.com/petbook.

AAA members can save on services for their pet by taking advantage of the Show Your Card & Save® program. Members save 10 percent on pet supplies at Target.com and 10 percent on pet sitting and dog walking services at home or on the road with Fetch! Pet Care. Prescriptions for family pets that can be filled at a traditional pharmacy may also be eligible for a AAA discount. For more information and to obtain a free Prescription Savings Card visit AAA.com/prescriptions or call 1-866-AAA-SAVE (1-866-222-7283). Visit AAA.com/discounts for more information and a complete list of retailers and offers.

Survey Methodology

The online study was conducted among a sample of 1,000 dog owners who have driven with their dog in past 12 months. The study results have an average statistical error of +/- 3.1 percent at the 95 confidence level.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Kurgo® (Motivation Design LLC) creates innovative, stylish and high-quality pet travel products that allow families and pets to travel comfortably to their destination together. The Kurgo® product line currently includes convenient products for traveling with your dog such as the Backseat Barrier, Skybox Booster Seat, Wander Bowl, Wander Hammock, Tru-Fit Smart Harness, and the Auto Zip Line, named as a Consumers Digest Best Buy. You can see more about this ever-evolving line of products at www.kurgo.com.

Doggie Distraction Facts

39 percent of U.S. households (45.6 million) have a dog, according to American Pet Products Association.

1 out of 3 dog owners admit to being distracted by their dog while driving, however twice as many (2 out of 3) admit to engaging in distracting activities with their dog while driving, according to the AAA/Kurgo survey.

Looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver and more than half a million were injured. However, many traffic safety experts believe the actual number to be substantially higher.

Activities dog owners admitted to doing while driving included:

Petting their dog (55 percent)

Dog sitting in their lap (21 percent)

Giving food and water to their dog (7 percent)

Playing with their dog (5 percent)

Only 17 percent of dog owners who have driven with their pet use some form of pet restraint while their dog is in their vehicle, according to the survey by AAA and Kurgo.

An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of force, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert approximately 2400 pounds of force.

Of the 17 percent of drivers who use a pet restraint, the AAA/Kurgo survey found the most frequently used are:

Pet harness/safety belt (52 percent)

Hard-sided pet travel crate (28 percent)

Pet vehicle seat (18 percent)

Soft-sided pet travel crate (13 percent)

Vehicle pet barrier (9 percent)

The AAA and Kurgo survey found the types of trips dog owners most frequently take with their dog include:

Leisure ride (88 percent)

Local errands (85 percent)

Trips to the local pet store (81 percent)

Day trips (80 percent)

Of the 17 percent of drivers who use a pet restraint system, the AAA/Kurgo survey found they are most likely to use it while driving on a day trip with their dog (90 percent always or frequently use a restraint system), however they are least likely to restrain their dog when driving to the dog park (one out of 10 rarely or never use a restraint system).

When traveling in a vehicle, the AAA/Kurgo survey found the locations most dog owners place their pet include:

Back seat (54 percent)

Front seat (26 percent)

Rear cargo area (17 percent)

Pick-up truck bed (2 percent)

Similar to a young child, the front airbag system in a vehicle can be deadly to a dog during a crash if sitting in the front seat, even if restrained.

Ok, OK I'm guilty of driving with my dog on my lap while my other dog sits in the other seat. There is no way they will sit in the back because they love their owner so much and like to see where we are going.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

It seems like there’s another jerk out there in Jefferson County who doesn’t care about the life of his dog. Luckily a woman was able to stop the driver who was dragging his dog behind his truck and the best part of the article was that the guy gave his dog to the women.

Now the police are trying to find this lowlife and charge him with animal cruelty. Hopefully this woman can describe what this guy looked like to help the police find him.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Man's best friend might just be treated like any other animal depending on where the owners live. A study by David Blouin, assistant professor of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Indiana University South Bend, found that people who think of animals as children tend to have a city background.

"To think of pets as just another animal is not uncommon in rural areas," Blouin said, "which makes sense given the utilitarian relationships people in rural areas are more likely to have with a range of different animals - from farm to wild animals."

But no matter where someone lives, having children often changes the owners' thoughts on their pets.

"If you have kids, you have less time to spend with your pets," said Blouin, who discussed his study on Sunday at the American Sociological Association 2010 Annual Meeting. "That's part of it, but not the whole story. People who think of their pets as their children often re-evaluate this thought when they have human children of their own."

Here are some of the findings of Blouin's study, which involved pet owners in Indiana:

People often have very intense attachments to their pets and pets are often an integral part of their daily routines.

Ninety-three percent of dog owners and 77 percent of cat owners took their pets to the veterinarian at least one time a year.

Eighty-one percent of dog owners and 67.5 percent of cat owners spent two or more hours daily with their respective pets, while only 2 percent of dog and cat owners spent time with their pets less than every day.

In interviews many of the pet owners confided that their pet's health was a major concern, especially as their animals got older. Some admitted that they spent significant sums of money on their pet's health, addressing routine care, such as vaccinations, as well more serious conditions such as skin allergies, Crohn's disease and diabetes.

The frequency of interactions owners had with their pets, as well as how often they took them to the veterinarian, were closely tied to how owners viewed their pets -- whether as a child, a companion, or just another, albeit, useful animal, Blouin said.

The study, "'I Can't Be Without a Dog!' Understanding Variations in Interactions and Relationships with Pets," was presented on Sunday, Aug. 15, between 2:30 and 4:10 p.m. at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis.

Everybody want to ban this type of dog and that type of dog. Well in a small town of Point Pleasant, WV the city council was unable to come up with enough votes to ban these types of dogs for the second time.

Most people are afraid of dogs like the pit bull from what they read in the news about them, but they are really loving dogs if they are trained and loved right. So how could we ban any dog from living in our town because of the breed they are? People are bitten by all kinds of dogs from all types of breeds, not just one or two different types. I was even bit by a dog when I was young, but that didn’t stop me from owning dogs.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

A dog's indiscriminate taste is not always a positive trait. In fact, it often leads to gastrointestinal infections and consequent ailments such as diarrhea and vomiting that come from eating spoiled food. Others develop gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases that are not directly attributed to the diet, but are influenced by intestinal bacteria.

Researchers at the University of Illinois are making strides in devising dietary interventions to combat these infections through advanced DNA pyrosequencing technology.

This new method of DNA sequencing has helped researchers uncover the phylogeny or "who's there" in a healthy dog's gut. Their goal was to obtain a standard that could be used as a comparison to diseased states in the future.

"It's a first step toward making progress in our understanding of how diet affects gastrointestinal infections," said Kelly Swanson, U of I associate professor of animal science. "Dogs do not rely heavily on microbial fermentation as it pertains to energy requirements, but a balanced and stable microbiota is critical for maintaining gastrointestinal health."

Up until now scientists could only culture a small percentage of the bacteria in a dog's gut and due to technological limitations, they couldn't determine the complete phylogeny.

More than 80,000 DNA sequences were evaluated in the first study to reveal that the highest number of bacteria present in the gut were Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes. Fusobacteria, while not as common, were also among the highest number of bacteria found.

"Often we don't know if an altered bacterial community is the cause of disease or the effect of disease," he said. "We also don't know if it's one species or multiple species working together to create problems for the dog's intestinal health."

In a follow-up study, using approximately one million DNA sequences, their team identified the metabolic pathways that exist in intestinal bacteria of healthy animals including nutrient metabolism, virulence, and stress response, Swanson said. They also compared the phylogeny of a dog's intestine to that of humans, mice and chickens to determine similarities and differences between species.

Swanson and his teammates are interested in continuing to learn how dietary intervention, pharmaceuticals and age affect microbial populations. In addition, most pet dogs in developed countries are now treated as family, with many not only living in the home, but also eating, sleeping and playing with their owners. This close proximity has relevance in regards to zoonotic disease and the direct link between human and dog illness.

Notes:"Phylogenetic characterization of fecal microbial communities of dogs fed diets with or without supplemental dietary fiber using 454 pyrosequencing" was published in PLoS ONE.Researchers include Ingmar Middelbos, Brittany Vester Boler, Ani Qu, Bryan White, George Fahey and Swanson, all of the U of I. Funding was provided by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station."Phylogenetic and gene-centric metagenomics of the canine intestinal microbiome reveals similarities with humans and mice" was published in The ISME Journal: Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology.Researchers include Scot Dowd of Research and Testing Laboratory; Jan Suchodolski of Texas A& M University; Ingmar Middelbos, Brittany Vester Boler, Kathleen Barry, Isaac Cann, Bryan White, George Fahey and Swanson of the U of I; Karen Nelson and Manolito Torralba of the J. Craig Venter Institute; and Bernard Henrissat and Pedro Coutinho of the Universites Aix-Marseille I and II in France.Funding was provided by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station.

Source:Jennifer ShikeUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Medical Solutions, an Inc. 5000 travel nursing company and travel therapy company has announced its first ever 'Cutest Pet Photo Contest' asking healthcare professionals to submit photos of their beloved pets to be voted on by their friends, family and general public.

Healthcare professionals in Nursing, Allied Health and Therapy are being asked to submit their favorite photo of their pets. Photo entries and voting begins August 12th and will continue through September 12th, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Contestants can enter any number of pets and anyone can vote for as many photos as they like, however those voting can only vote once per photo.

"I think it's safe to say that our travelers love their pets and we do too," said Craig Meier, Vice President of Client Development and Recruiting. "We recently conducted a survey with our travelers to determine their interests and received an overwhelming response about their "best friends" and how they couldn't travel without them. We in turn thought a photo contest would be a wonderful way for our traveling nurses and therapists to show off their loved ones! I wish internal employees of Medical Solutions were eligible, because I feel my three dogs, 'Cooper,' 'Izzy' and 'Bean' would blow the completion away!"

Entries are being judged on a five-star rating system and winners will be selected by a panel of judges at Medical Solutions who will choose the winning photos based on the number of votes, average rating and preference. Entrants are encouraged to share their pictures through as many social networking sites they may belong to in hopes of drawing more attention to their pictures. The three winning pet pictures will be eligible for over $800 in e-gift certificates from PetSmart, the largest specialty retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets.

For more information, including rules, about the Medical Solutions 'Cutest Pet Contest,' please visit medicalsolutions.com

Grand Prize

* $500 e-Gift Certificate to PetSmart

Runner-Up

* $250 e-Gift Certificate to PetSmart

Third Prize

* $100 e-Gift Certificate to PetSmart

About Medical SolutionsMedical Solutions, Inc. was one of the first travel nurse and allied healthcare staffing companies to be certified by the Joint Commission and has been continuously certified since 2004. Its focus is on meeting the urgent and short-term staffing needs of its clients with highly skilled allied health professionals, nurses and technologists. A nationwide network of travelers allows Medical Solutions to help its client hospitals continue to provide excellent patient care amidst a nursing and allied health shortage. Medical Solutions has contracts with nearly 1100 client hospitals nationwide and is one of the fastest growing companies in the travel nursing and allied health industry. Visit Staffing.MedicalSolutions.com or MedicalSolutions.com to learn more.

Evangers Dog & Cat Food Co., America's 75 year-old natural pet food manufacturer, is now accepting photographs for its 2011 edition of its annual nationwide pets calendar. 12 winners will be chosen as the pet of the month, but this year entrants will be competing for a feature spread under one of the calendar's 4 themes:

12 Winners will receive Evanger's Super Premium Canned and Dry Pet Food and a 2011 calendar. Calendar details can be found at www.evangersdogfood.com.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS

Send your image as an e-mail attachment to contest@evangersdogfood.com no later than 6 PM EDT Monday, September 20, 2010. In your email, include the following information:

* Your name. * The photographer's name. * The names of all pet(s) in the photo. * Your address and phone number (to enable Evanger's to contact you if you win). * Under which theme you are entering. * Please write 2011 Contest in the subject line.

PRIZES

In addition to having their pets featured in the annual Evanger's calendar, winners may choose from two prize options:

1. Only high-resolution digital images (minimum 300 dpi) can be accepted. Please do not submit scanned photographs or photographs taken by cell phone. 2. All entries must be the original work of the entrant. 3. The entrant must own the copyright to the photograph. 4. Evanger's reserves the right to crop photos, if necessary. 5. By submitting an image, entrants grant Evanger's Dog and Cat Food Co., Inc., the right to use the photograph in the 2011 Calendar and in any other publications, media or related promotions.

In an effort to raise awareness about the growing amount of homeless and neglected pets in Canada, Pawlooza - London's Festival for Dogs, has coordinated one of the country's largest animal rescue gatherings (ever) to its mix of everything dog-related. The festival has close to 40 rescue and non-profit, animal welfare groups who are showcasing adoptable pets, fundraising, and networking.

The festivities take place at the Plunkett Estate in West London on Saturday, August 21st. The date – the third Saturday in August – has been reserved by the International Society for Animal Rights’ (ISAR) for ‘International Homeless Animals Day’. The day features close to 80 rallies, adopt-a-thons, and events being coordinated across the globe.

Pawlooza organizers are expecting upwards of 15,000 animal lovers and their canine companions to be in attendance. There will also be 125 pet-industry vendors, free samples, pet psychic shows, trick demonstrations, doggie dock diving, trail walking, racing, a doggie DNA lab, cutest dog contests and more. With Michael O’Sullivan, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Canada, recently reporting that “each year, in Canada, over 400,000 healthy dogs and cats are killed because there simply aren’t enough homes”, the stage appears to be set for the rescue groups and their adoptable animals to get some much needed exposure.

All in all it’s about time a judge has made the owner of dogs that was seized pay up for their care.

A judge named Joan V. Bragg from the Berkeley County Magistrate has ordered Leonard Woods Jr. who ran the YipYipDog Kennels LLC to post a twenty five grand plus to help pay for the care of some ninety four dogs that were seized after his home was condemned.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Capt. D. Scott Richmond said; The health of the dogs ranged from not so bad to not so good and described the housing conditions as deplorable.

Personally I don’t know this guy but if you are going to run a kennel as a breeder it should be done right and not out of your backyard. The article said that one of the pit bulls had died from giardia which is a protozoans, tiny, one-celled parasitic life forms with the potential to cause serious illness.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The police in Westport, Mass. have been busy arresting twelve for animal cruelty named Stacy Ourique, Eddy Deaguiar, Horacio Viveiros and John Barreira along with a few others that might be charged too named Antonio Carvalho, Helder Almeida, Jeffrey Oliveria, Antonio Ferreira, Rhonda Gadomski, Kenneth Bellavance, Richard Medeiros and Ed Pereira.

The police rescued some thirty three dogs that were living in disgraceful conditions.

Detective Jeffrey Majewski said; For whatever reason, they wanted to have animals and it was basically children with toys, that once they got tired of it, I guess, didn't go down there and put any emphasis on these are living creatures that need to be taken care of.

Dogs, long used by law enforcement and the military to sniff out drugs and bombs, are now being trained to detect high and low blood sugar levels in their handlers.

Created by the Dallas-based Diabetes Friendly Foundation, the "K-9 for Kids" program provides assistance in locating Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs) while also providing funding for the training and placement of the animals for families in need.

"Every 24 hours, 4,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with diabetes according to the Center for Disease Control," said Cole Egger, Founder of the Diabetes Friendly Foundation. "Parents of children with diabetes constantly have to check their child's blood sugar throughout the day and night in order to prevent severe consequences caused by fluctuating blood sugar levels. With a diabetes alert dog, some of the strain and fear of these dangerous side effects of diabetes is lifted."

To build awareness of the DADs and the "K-9 for Kids" program, the Diabetes Friendly Foundation is hosting "K-9 for Kids Fundraiser" on November 13 at the Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG) in downtown Dallas.

In addition to live music, heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, a doggie boutique, and silent auction, the event will feature the night's honored guest – The Wildrose Kennel, select families and Diabetic Alert Dogs and puppies.

Following are two testimonials about the Diabetic Alert Dogs:

"We were very lucky to have Mallie (a Diabetic Alert Dog)," said Crystall Young, mother of 19-month- old Ean, who has Type 1 diabetes. "She truly is an amazing alert dog. She alerted me at times when I wouldn't have thought I needed to check on Ean. There were times when Ean was outside playing and she would alert from inside."

"Without JD, my diabetes alert dog, I was afraid to do a lot of things but JD has given me the confidence to live my life now and to not be afraid anymore," said Deanna Whitehead, a teenager with Type 1 diabetes. "I trust him to take care of me and it's an awesome feeling. I love JD."

About the Diabetes Friendly Foundation

The Diabetes Friendly Foundation™ (DFF) was founded to create product awareness in the food industry and to empower consumers who are looking for healthy alternatives. Based in Dallas, the DFF allows consumers to easily access information needed to make healthy choices, as well as provide those with diabetes an easy tool to help manage their blood glucose levels.

To date, those with diabetes have been forced to analyze all nutrition labels carefully in order to best manage their diabetes. Now, when the Diabetes Friendly Foundation logo appears on products, consumers can feel confident they are purchasing a product that adheres to a specific set of standards. Standards vary by product line but take into consideration calories, total fat, saturated fat, transfat, fiber, and sodium.

The DFF standards were also developed to take into consideration other chronic diseases that those with diabetes may suffer from such as heart disease and high blood pressure. By choosing foods with the DFF logo, consumers will benefit by knowing they are choosing foods healthy for their diabetes and healthy for their heart.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Volunteer Advantage has announced that August is the organization's "Animal Rescue Month."

The Volunteer Advantage is a network of volunteers, non-profits and businesses in which volunteers earn points based on the number of hours they volunteer for non-profits and community organizations. These points are then redeemed for rewards, discounts and coupons from local and national businesses.

"Animal rescue and animal welfare continues to be a top cause for our volunteers and actually served as the genesis for the founding our organization," said The Volunteer Advantage's Merritt Friedman. "Our volunteer members spend a significant amount of time and energy caring for animals in need, and we want to recognize that passion. By focusing an entire month on animal rescue volunteers, we hope even more people will become aware of the numerous animal welfare issues that exist today."

Throughout August, The Volunteer Advantage will be facilitating connections between those helping and those who want to help using a custom-built web portal featuring a variety of tools for volunteers. The efforts of animal welfare organizations like The Boxer Rescue in Grafton, MA and The Animal Shelter Inc of Sterling, MA will be featured on the portal. Volunteers will earn double points for time spent on animal rescue-related activities, which they can redeem for rewards from the site's retail partners, such as Especially for Pets, a seven-location Massachusetts pet food and supply company.

"Animal welfare efforts throughout Massachusetts are supported by residents who want to have a direct impact on the life of an animal," said MSPCA-Angell spokesman Brian Adams. "The Volunteer Advantage is a unique method to thank these individuals that donate their time and energy to helping thousands of animals in need."

The Volunteer Advantage (www.thevolunteeradvantage.com) is a network of volunteers, non-profits and businesses. Volunteers earn points based on the number of hours they volunteer and redeem them for discounts and coupons from local and national businesses. For businesses, The Volunteer Advantage is a prime cause marketing / corporate social responsibility platform.

About the MSPCA-Angell

The MSPCA-Angell (www.mspca.org) is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. The MSPCA-Angell is a private, non-profit organization that does not receive any government or national society funding and relies solely on the support and contributions of individuals who care about animals.

About Especially for Pets, Inc.

Especially for Pets, established in 1988, is a Massachusetts pet food and supply company with stores located in Acton, Canton , Medway, Newton , Sudbury , Wayland and Westborough.

Dedicated to responsible pet care, they offer only pet friendly products and services. As the pet store created by pet lovers for pet lovers, their products include premium pet foods and supplies. Services include grooming, dog training, and educational seminars addressing all aspects of pet care. They also serve as a resource for pet adoption and rescue services.

Monday, August 9, 2010

The police in Buena Park, Cal. were able to save some twelve pit bulls that were being sent to Mexico for the dog fighting ring when they stopped a van. These dogs were picked up from all over the states knowing that they were fighting dogs.

Well up in Indianapolis, Indiana the police raided a home where they found some nine pit bulls and were able to arrest twenty three lowlifes that were there to see the dogs fighting.

This is so sickening to read about people wanting to see these poor dogs fighting to the end. I hope the judge really thinks twice before he sentence these lowlifes for what they were doing to these dogs.

Friday, August 6, 2010

When you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, you will be making a mental list of all the accessories you’ll need to purchase. Collars, leashes, bowls and brushes will all make their way onto your shopping list. Have you thought about adding a crate to that list?

Most new dog owners don’t immediately think about buying a crate for their dog. They may not be aware of how useful they are, or they may feel that they are somehow cruel and unkind. Here are some reasons why every new dog owner should seriously consider buying a crate.

1. A crate will give your dog its own den where they can get some “time out” from your busy family. My dogs will voluntarily go to their crate when they have had enough of our visitors!

2. A crate will make it easier and quicker for you to toilet train your dog. They don’t like to soil their bed, and will hold on until you take them outside. If you then praise your dog enthusiastically when they go to the toilet, they will soon learn to go outside to potty.

3. Puppies are notorious for chewing things. You really do need an extra pair of eyes to make sure they aren’t getting up to mischief. If your pup is crate trained, you can put them in the crate when you have to pay attention to something else.

4. We don’t like to think of our dog having an accident or becoming ill. Unfortunately it does happen. If your dog is crate trained, they won’t be as stressed about spending time in a hospital cage. If you can confine them in their crate when they come home, they will recover quicker.

5. Your dog’s crate will be familiar to your dog when you are in a different environment, for example if you are moving house, or if you go on vacation. They will be more likely to relax if they have their crate with them, and they won’t be as stressed.

6. If you put your dog in a crate while you are traveling in your car, the trip will be much safer for both of you. They won’t try to sit on your lap, and they won’t be thrown across the inside of your vehicle if you have a collision.

Crates cost more than a leash or collar, so you need to plan your purchase carefully. If you take care of your dog’s crate, it will last you for their lifetime. When you look at it like that, it’s not all that expensive after all. There is also dog crate furniture available. These crates are made of wood and can serve as a piece of furniture.

If your dog is properly trained to use their crate, and they are treated kindly when they are inside, crates are not at all cruel. Do give some serious thought to crate training your new four legged family member before you completely rule it out. You will start to see how a crate could simplify your life, and also be good for your dog.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

For the first time, scientists have shown that selective breeding of domestic dogs is not only dramatically changing the way animals look but is also driving major changes in the canine brain.

The brains of many short-snouted dog breeds have rotated forward as much as 15 degrees, while the brain region controlling smell has fundamentally relocated, researchers from the University of New South Wales and University of Sydney have found.

The large variations in dog skull size and shape follow more than 12,000 years of breeding for functional and aesthetic traits.

The discovery of such dramatic reorganisation of the canine brain raises important questions about impacts on dog behavior.

The research is published this month in the Public Library of Sciences journal PLoS One.

Researchers from UNSW's Brain and Ageing Research Program and Sydney University's Faculty of Veterinary Science used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at brains across a range of breeds.

"We found strong and independent correlations between the size and shape of a dog's skull, and brain rotation and the positioning of the olfactory lobe," said study co-author, Dr Michael Valenzuela, from UNSW's School of Psychiatry

"As a dog's head or skull shape becomes flatter - more pug-like - the brain rotates forward and the smell centre of the brain drifts further down to the lowest position in the skull," Dr Valenzuela said.

No other animal has enjoyed the level of human affection and companionship like the dog, nor undergone such a systemic and deliberate intervention in its biology through breeding, the authors note. The diversity suggests a unique level of plasticity in the canine genome.

"Canines seem to be incredibly responsive to human intervention through breeding. It's amazing that a dog's brain can accommodate such large differences in skull shape through these kinds of changes - it's something that hasn't been documented in other species," Dr Valenzuela said.

Health impacts from breed specific disorders - such as pug encephalitis and hip problems in German shepherds - are well documented; however, until now little had been known about the effects of human intervention on dogs' brains.

Co-author Associate Professor Paul McGreevy from the University of Sydney noted: "We think of dogs living in a world of smell - but this finding strongly suggests that one dog's world of smell may be very different from another's."

"The next obvious step is to try to find out if these changes in brain organisation are also linked to systematic differences in dogs' brain function," Dr Valenzuela said.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is extending its July 2,2010 recall of 10 oz "Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (Texas Hold'Ems)" pet treat (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) to also include 83 cases of "Texas Hold'ems" (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10127 BEST BY MAY 6, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Beef Filet Squares (Texas Hold 'Ems) were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

The treats are sold in 1Ooz plastic bags marked with "Lot # 10127 Best By May 6, 2012" on the top of the bag and on a sticker applied to the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date for either lot of product. A sample tested positive for Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of"Texas Hold'ems" are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 - 5:00 CDT.

Final nominees were selected based on the number of times they were nominated by their fellow bloggers and followers. Winners will be chosen from these nominees by the number of votes they receive from pet enthusiasts by August 20th. To vote, go to http://dogtime.com/petties.

"The Petties it truly an awards program for bloggers, by bloggers," said DogTime Media CEO, Trevor Wright. "The pet community has some very passionate, entertaining, and influential personalities, and this is the opportunity for the best of the best to be recognized by their followers."

Winners will be announced at the BlogPaws 2010 West Conference, to be held in Denver September 9th to 11th. Winners will receive a $500 donation to the shelter or rescue organization of their choosing, a custom engraved "Petties" award, a "Petties Winner" badge for their blog site, a valuable package of editorial coverage across the DogTime Media Network, VIP access to the BlogPaws 2010 West Conference and a host of social media traffic driving opportunities.

"Pet bloggers put their heart and soul into their work," said Caroline Golon, co-founder of BlogPaws. "We're so happy to participate in recognizing and celebrating these bloggers by hosting the Pettie Awards at BlogPaws."

Event Details

What: BlogPaws 2010 West, the only conference for pet bloggers and the online pet communityWhen: September 9-11, 2010Where: The Grand Hyatt, Denver, COFor More Information: http://www.blogpaws.com/

BlogPaws 2010 West will feature dynamic keynotes and interactive education sessions covering topics pet bloggers rely on for their craft: social media strategies, search engine optimization, content development, blog monetization, product reviews, pet photography techniques, tips and tricks for using popular blogging platforms and more. The event will also feature a specific track for veterinarians interested in social media and blogging as well as special sessions for animal rescue and shelter administrators and volunteers.

(1) SOURCE: comScore MediaMetrics, 3/10

About DogTime Media:

DogTime Media is the largest vertical media community focused exclusively on pet owners and the 47.7 billion dollar annual pet market. DogTime Media reaches 29.5 million monthly users via its community of 500 leading pet-focused websites, 460 pet bloggers and more than 3,000 rescue groups, anchored by its own DogTime.com, the premier destination for pet owners.

DogTime Media actively supports the efforts of rescue groups and shelters nationwide to significantly reduce the number of homeless and neglected pets in the country by providing authoritative advice to both novice and experienced pet guardians. Founded in 2007, DogTime Media is a privately held company based in San Francisco, CA.

About BlogPaws:

BlogPaws is an online resource to help pet bloggers and enthusiasts connect digitally, build their online presence, enhance their social networks and be the change for pets in need. The first-ever pet bloggers and social media conference, BlogPaws 2010, was held on April 9 & 10, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. A second event, BlogPaws 2010 West, will take place on September 9-11, 2010 in Denver, Co. To learn more, please visit: http://www.blogpaws.com/

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is voluntarily expanding its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food as a precautionary measure because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada. No canned food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement. A full listing of UPC codes can be found at http://www.iams.com/.

These products are made in a single, specialized facility. In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

For further information or a product replacement or refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8823 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

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